There's been a lot of discussion on ways to alarm engine over-temperature. There's raw water flow sensors, thermostat sensors, engine exhaust sensors, etc.. I'm looking for an alarm(s) system that will give me early warning of overheating, that is easy to install and relatively inexpensive for our 1985 Universal Kubota M-25. I've already survived one overheating episode and want to prevent another.
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Paul Lipsit,
Zatarra #406
1985 C36 Mk1 S/R F/K
M-25 Universal Kubota
Port Dover, Ontario
Not sure this fits in the "relatively inexpensive" criterion you listed, but Catalina Direct has a retrofit kit for the M25 which we installed: http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm/product/2433_843/high-temp-alarm...
The most expensive part of that kit is probably the thermostat housing. Tom Soko just drilled and tapped the existing one and added the sensor, which I don't think is very costly -- see https://julandra.shutterfly.com/241#238
Matthew Chachère
s/v ¡Que Chévere!
(Formerly 1985 C36 MKI #466 tall rig fin keel M25)
2006 Catalina Morgan 440 #30.
Homeported in eastern Long Island, NY
All good information, Matthew.
Comments on other types from forum readers??
Paul Lipsit,
Zatarra #406
1985 C36 Mk1 S/R F/K
M-25 Universal Kubota
Port Dover, Ontario
Paul
I too have been planning this type of mod.
I think there there are several scenarios that I worry about..
1. Loss of flow to your raw water pump.
a. Plugged strainer/sea water valve closed?
This would possibly result in burning up the sea water pump and overheat of the engine.
2. Sea water pump failure.
a.Overheat engine.
b. Melt muffler.
3. Broken belt
a. Overheat engine.
b. Melt muffler.
4. Coolant/hot water heater hose failure.
a. Overheat engine
5. Thermostat failure.
a. Overheat engine.
I think a system consisting of both a Raw water flow sensor and a Engine temp sensor with a light and horn is the answer for me. With a Raw water failure with the engine at a high power setting a lot of damage can occur before you engine shows a overheat condition. Not to the engine but to the impeller, muffler, hump hose.
If you do a search your will find some what members have done. Search Raw water.
I like the dual sender mod previously shown, I would really like a sender that has both features (light and gauge) in one. I seen this used in auto's. The trick is to find one that will use my stock temp gauge.
I'm planning on mounting the loud horn inside my Nav pod and the temp light and move the oil warning to the Pod. Also adding a horn silence feature for starting and maintenance activities.
Chuck Lennox
97 MKii Ventura Ca
Island Girl Hull #1611
Paul and Chuck,
As Matthew suggested, you can add another temp sender to the thermostat housing (to trigger an alarm and light, in addition to the OEM gauge), for not that much money or effort. Another option to consider is a high-temp alarm for the exhaust hose, rather than a water flow alarm. The exhaust hose is a nasty place for anything to survive in, such as a flow sensor. For Juniper, I researched and installed an alarm from Borel Mfg (http://borelmfg.com/products_alarm.htm). It is designed to trigger well before any damage is done to the exhaust system (and obviously, the engine). If you don't want to have a separate panel and alarm, you can wire the Borel alarm into your existing high temp alarm (the alarm and light side of the system, not the gauge side). You need to call Borel to order just the sender, as it is not on their website as a separate item. I think I paid about $60 for it last year. Hope this helps.
Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT
Tom I do like that sensor you put on the exhaust.
The flow sensor I'm thinking about in installed on the suction side of the Raw water pump. I would like to catch a Raw water problem ASAP.
Denfender selsl the following simple flow meter for around 65 bucks.
Aqualarm Cooling Water Flow Detector
Aqualarm Cooling Water Flow Detector
Item # : 551458
Chuck Lennox
97 MKii Ventura Ca
Island Girl Hull #1611
Paul:
You and I are on the same wave length here.
I have always lamented the lack of visibility into key engine parameters that our boats possess.
So this is one of my projects before summer arrives.
A lot of sound arguments here and good reasoning.
I am still thinking through the alarm(s) I would like to add.
The thermostat alarm is a good idea and easy too - but it completely reactive.
Certainly the flow sensor could help shed light on a low flow scenario brought upon a blockage or impeller failure before things get critical. Or even a pressure switch on the fresh water pump housing - seeing as though there is a threaded port anyway - could help trouble shoot a loss of water flow.
Good stuff here.
Mitch
1986 Catalina 36 MKI
S/V "Blessing"
Kema, TX
Hull: #584
M25 w/ Oberdorfer Conversion
Tom
Your Sensor, Is it a normally open/close sw type deal? Did you wire up a relay?
How did wire your up. To the Engine panel ? It's own Panel? I think the hardest of adding these sensors is running the wires. I'm thinking now of make a little panel close to the engine with a really loud horn, leaving the OEM stuff alone.
Chuck Lennox
97 MKii Ventura Ca
Island Girl Hull #1611
Chuck,
The Borel sensor is normally open, and actually has two spare leads for testing after installed - nice design feature! Juniper has a Yanmar engine, so the wiring is somewhat different, but the concept is the same. Ignore the temp sensor that is variable, and connected to the temp gauge on the panel. Find the temp sensor on your engine that is on/off (which powers the alarm and light), and connect the (+) Borel lead to that sensor. The other (-) lead from the Borel sensor goes to ground. I did not have to run a new wire to the engine panel. With this wiring setup, either the Borel sensor or the OEM sensor will sound the alarm (fairly loud on Juniper) and light the light on the engine panel. As I said earlier, I did not want another alarm panel on or near my engine panel. Hope this helps.
Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT
Thanks Tom.
Meter in hand headed down to the boat.
Chuck Lennox
97 MKii Ventura Ca
Island Girl Hull #1611